Reactions - Not Distractions

The Stony Brook University Police Department is campaigning for a safer campus community.
Whether you're a driver or a pedestrian, individuals can take control of distractions
that are often times harmful and threaten the safety of everyone. Help us make our
roads and our community safer for everyone.

What is Driver and Pedestrian Distraction?

A distraction is any activity that shifts attention away from the primary task: walking
or driving.

Driving While Distracted (DWD)

Distraction from cell phone use while driving (hand held or hands free) extends a
driver's reaction time as much as having a blood alcohol concentration at the legal
limit of .08 percent.

The number one source of driver inattention is use of a wireless device.

Drivers that use cell phones are four times as likely to get into crashes serious
enough to injure themselves.

10 percent of drivers aged 16 to 24 years old are on their phone at any one time.

Driving while distracted is a factor in 25 percent of police reported crashes.

Driving while using a cell phone reduces the amount of brain activity associated with
driving by 37 percent.

Pedestrian Distractions

When using a cell phone, pedestrians commonly:

Walk slower

Are less likely to notice other objects in their environment

Select smaller crossing gaps in traffic

Are less likely to look at traffic before starting to cross the road

Are less likely to wait for traffic to stop

Are less likely to look at traffic while crossing the road

Are more likely to walk out in front of an approaching car

Using electronic devices like cell phones and MP3 players while walking can increase
your likelihood of being involved in a motor vehicle accident. Pay attention to your
surroundings and avoid distractions. No plan or strategy guarantees your safety; all
you can do is remain cautious and take no unnecessary chances. The more careful you
are, the safer you will be.